10A NCAC 70H .0402      INTAKE PROCEDURES AND OUT-OF-HOME FAMILY SERVICES AGREEMENT

(a)  The policies for acceptance of an applicant for adoption services shall be defined in writing and shall relate to the stated purpose of the agency. Acceptance of an applicant for services shall be limited to those for whom the agency is qualified by staff, program and services to give appropriate services.

(b)  Applicants for international adoptions shall receive information that includes the following topics:

(1)           the characteristics of children who need adoptive families;

(2)           the criteria by which the adoption agency and sending countries determine eligibility for adoptive parents;

(3)           the adoption services that will be available, when they will be available and how long they will be available;

(4)           steps in the adoption process;

(5)           immigration and obtaining citizenship;

(6)           average waiting time;

(7)           risks associated with international adoptions;

(8)           adoption requirements of the sending county; and

(9)           the use of other organizations or individuals to provide services.

(c)  The agency shall develop a written out-of-home family services agreement for children within 30 days of acceptance as a client if the child is placed in foster care and a permanent placement has not been achieved. The out-of-home family services agreement shall be developed in cooperation with the child and the child's parents, guardian or legal custodian when possible.

(d)  The out-of-home family services agreement shall include goals stated in specific, realistic and measurable terms and plans that are action oriented, including specific responsibilities of staff, family members and the child.

(e)  The out-of-home family services agreement shall be based upon an assessment of the needs of the child and the child's parents.

(f)  The out-of-home family services agreement shall be reviewed within 60 days of placement, the second out-of-home family services agreement review shall occur within 90 days of the first review and subsequent reviews shall be held every six months to determine the child's and family's progress or lack of progress towards meeting the goals, and to determine changes that need to be made in the out-of-home family services agreement.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 131D‑10.5; 143B‑153;

Eff. October 1, 2008;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. October 3, 2017.